Introducing Saint Anna Sunday School Video Series

Our dedicated team of Sunday school teachers is not going to let a pandemic keep them from communicating with their students!  We are excited to announce the launch of our own Saint Anna unlisted youtube videos.  Unlisted means that you can see them by following the link provided, but these videos are not promoted online, or shown to random youtube viewers.  It is not our intention to compete with some of the professionally produced Christian videos already available online.  Rather, we want our students to have at least a digital connection to adults in their own parish; people who are doing their best to follow the path of Orthodox Christianity, and who may potentially serve as local examples and mentors.  

Tim Burkhard, our 4th & 5th grade teacher, is our trailblazer in this effort, and has produced our inaugural video (link below).   Our next video will be produced by Lisa Jizrawi, our 1st to 3rd grade teacher.  Other teachers and videos will follow. We are truly blessed to have such dedicated and talented teachers!  

A Virtual Event in Support of the Girls' Secondary School in the Diocese of Nyeri and Mt. Kenya

His Grace Bishop Neofitos is a dear friend of our Parish.  As a community, we support the ministry at the Parish of Saint Anna on Mt. Kenya.   Many of us are also able to directly support the work and the projects of His Grace in his holy diocese.  In recent days, the Kenyan government has established additional requirements for at the Girls' Secondary School. The school must open in January, and they MUST have more dormitory space in order to have the bunks far enough apart to meet pandemic safety parameters. A word from His Grace about the mandates and the needs of the Diocese is found below.   You are therefore invited to attend a virtual event in support of the work of His Grace via the KC for Kenya Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/kcforkenya. Please “like” the page, and plan on "coming" to the event. There is a direct donation link there http://secure.ocmc.org/KC-For-Kenya or you  can give through our Parish, https://saintanna.churchcenter.com/giving/to/kenya.  We’ll be sending our Parish commitment to support the work of St. Anna Parish PLUS an additional $3,000 toward the $55,000 (US dollars) needed to build the new dormitory space. 

Information concerning Youth Religious Education Program, Junior High School & High School Youth Groups

These days, “Sunday school” is a bit of a misnomer, since we are not actually having live classes on Sundays…yet.  We do however continue to pursue youth religious education.  In the spring, we tried offering Zoom Sunday school, but it turned out that the kids had more than enough Zoom with their secular activities.  Zoom Sunday school was discontinued for lack of attendance.  

Shortly thereafter, we tried a new approach.  Our teachers began and have continued to contribute to a weekly “grab bag” of items for various ages (Kindergarten through the end of high school), which can be used by parents and students throughout the week.  The grab bag includes links to youtube videos, craft projects, coloring pages, Gospel lessons and scriptural exercises, puzzles, a write up on the life of a saint or feast, explanations of Church holy days, and an exploration of basic Church practices.  The intention is to continue the grab bag until we are able to resume in person education.  

Beginning in October, we will also include short videos produced by our own parishioners.  These may be a bit “homemade” in appearance, but these will allow our students to have at least a digital connection to adults in their own parish; people who are doing their best to follow the path of Orthodox Christianity, and who may potentially serve as local examples and mentors.  

With regards to our Junior High School and High School Program, our youth would have been meeting for their youth religious education classes on Sundays and also for fellowship, food and activities as part of the youth groups. To best abide by both our Metropolis and regional guidelines with regards to social distancing requirements, we have reassessed our traditional practices.  Rather than ask them to spend even more time on Zoom for youth group, we have come up with a two part solution:

1. We will be combining religious education with youth groups together, in order to minimize screen time. 

2. Both groups will meet once a week, on Wednesday nights, beginning at 6:30pm, after Akathist and finishing up at 8pm. Initially, the groups will meet via Zoom, but our hope is that in time, by God's will, and with proper precautions and good social distancing procedures, our youth will be able to come to the parish to resume their study and fellowship. 

The Junior High School and High School Program will begin on Wednesday, October 7th at 6:30 via Zoom invitation that will be sent out next week. If you have any questions about these groups, please contact Fr. Seraphim at the Church Office, 916-772-9372 or frseraphim@saintanna.org 

Finally, we are in the process of updating our student rosters.  If you are new to Saint Anna Parish, or if you have not been receiving any emails directly from my email address, and if you have children under 18, please send me an email, annatsu@mac.com so that I can add your family to our Youth Religious Education list.  Include the names of the parents or guardians and their email addresses and phone numbers, the names of the students and their grade levels.  If you are not sure whether or not you are on the list, go ahead and send me the email anyway.

We thank you for flexibility, your patience, your long-suffering and your heartfelt support for the religious education and the youth ministries that take place here at St. Anna.  We continue to trust in the interesting opportunities that God has prepared for all of us in the year to come

In Christ, 

Anna Tsu, Director of St. Anna Youth Religious Education

In Preparation for Divine Services at the Parish this weekend

We are again blessed to celebrate our services inside our Sanctuary (we also continue to broadcast all of our services via Facebook). Please continue to follow the established guidelines to keep all of us healthy. Before signing-up for services at https://saintanna.churchcenter.com/home or on the Church Center App by clicking on “Events”  please self-screen at home for yourself and family members to ensure that your temperature is less than 100.4, you do not have a cough, sore throat, headache, or unusual fatigue. When you arrive at church please check in at the welcome table outside of the narthex to sanitize your hands and receive a face mask if you did not bring one. Face masks that cover one's mouth and nose are required, unless your health does not permit you to wear one (recent research indicates that when used with masks, goggles are also effective barriers against Covid-19). With the poor air quality due to the fires it is helpful to wear a mask even when outside. Please maintain social distancing of 6 feet from those not in your household and remember that we all have different risk/tolerance levels for socializing so avoid hugging (as much as we would ALL like to do that). Between the fires and the extraordinary heat it is indeed a blessing to be able to worship inside our sanctuary. Let's all do these small things to keep oursevels and our brothers and sisters in Christ healthy!

Prayer to include in personal devotions for California Fires & our Divine Service Schedule

O Virgin, we extol the great grace of your Protection, which you spread out like a bright cloud beyond all understanding; for you invisibly protect your people from the foe's every assault. Since we have you as our shelter and certain help, we cry to you with our whole soul: Glory to your great deeds, O most pure Maid. Glory to you shelter most divine. Glory to your care and providence for us, O spotless one.”  Apolytikion of Holy Protection of the Theotokos, First Tone

Stewards and Friends of St. Anna Parish-

After a week of extreme heat, wildfires now rage in the State; two continue to expand, the LNU Lightning Complex (Napa and Sonoma) and the SCU Lightning Complex (in Eastern San Francisco Bay), in addition to those burning in Nevada County.  These fires as well as others create extremely dangerous and even deadly conditions for our firefighters, first responders and residents of these regions, as well as all Californians on account of the poor air quality.

Please be mindful of your wellbeing: both the safety of you and your loved ones if you are in proximity to these fires, as well as your health from the air quality. I would also ask that you include the prayer at the close of this email in your private devotion.  Together, let us pray that God will keep safe those who fight the fires and that life and property will be preserved as the fires are extinguished.   

Thanks be to God, we’re back inside for Divine Services this weekend.  We will continue to follow established guidelines to ensure the wellbeing of our parishioners (please visit, https://www.saintanna.org/parish-news-1/2020/6/6/welcoming-our-faithful-back-to-communal-worship).  Our Service schedule is as follows:

Saturday, 5PM (Great Vespers)

Sunday,  7:30AM (Orthros)

8:30AM (First Liturgy)

10:00AM (Second Liturgy)

We will limit the number of parishioners attending services. Parishioners will be asked to sign-up for services at https://saintanna.churchcenter.com/home or on the Church Center App by clicking on “Events” (please register each individual in your immediate family who will be attending). 

Finally, those of us who signed-up for the Festival that has since been postponed have received notices reminding us that our volunteering is right around the corner.  Our apologies for any confusion this may have caused.  

May our good God continue to keep our families, our communities and our State in His care.

_____________

Prayer for Protection from Raging Fires 

(by Archimandrite Nektarios Serfes)

O Gracious God Who created the earth and all that is in it, Thou didst give us so many blessings.  Indeed, Thou didst fill the world with so much beauty, bounty and no end of wonders!

We ask Thee now to save Thy people from nature’s furious fires.

Save those in California whose homes and families are in the path of the wildfires that are consuming the land.

Give courage to those who fight fires, who clean up and help others to rebuild after disasters strike.

Give strength to all survivors and peace to those whose lives are in danger.

Send down abundant rain showers to quench the flames in California. As Thou didst send to Noah of old, send also the rainbow of hope.

Nature may rage but Thou, O Lord, we know art a Loving God Who ever holds in Thy hand all Thou hast created.  Unto Thee do we give thanks for all things!

Grant us humility to repent of our negligence in tending Thy Creation & give us henceforth the will to serve Thee more faithfully. 

Protect homes and monasteries and all Thy people.  In all the days of our lives let us remember to honor and worship Thee as the Living God:  Father, Son, and All-Holy Spirit. Amen. 

Through the prayers of the holy fathers, Lord Jesus Christ Son of God, have mercy on us and save us.

Services continue online and outside

To ensure the wellbeing of our clergy and stewards as well as respecting the directives of Placer County, we have moved our services outside. Thank you to those who so labored to prepare this space and to also continue broadcasting services for our faithful! We ask that Parishioners sign-up for services at https://saintanna.churchcenter.com/home or on the Church Center App by clicking on “Events” (please register each individual in your immediate family who will be attending). We will be pleased to assist you with downloading this software.

Our Feast Day in Review

We had a beautiful Feast celebrating the Dormition of Saint Anna, marked by several days of services, beginning with the Feast of St. Christina on Friday morning, then the Feast of our Parish, the Feast of St. Paraskevi and then the feast of St. Panteleimon.  We transitioned our services outside, enjoyed a lecture, and had the opportunity to spend time together in greater number, thanks be to God.  Here are a few photos from our Feast

Summer 2020 Update from Jennifer Rice OCMC Missionary

Summer 2020 Update
"Love is a fruit in season at all times and within reach of every hand.“
- Mother Teresa

Since I last wrote, I was preparing to visit so many of you on the West Coast, which unfortunately did not come to fruition as planned. I am sorry that circumstances related to the coronavirus prevented this.The coronavirus pandemic has brought many changes to our routines and plans, some negative and some unexpectedly positive. At this point, I would like to share with you all one recent change in my life that reflects both aspects.  
Read more from Jennifer at https://www.saintanna.org/long-term-missionary-to-guatemala-jennifer-rice

In Response to the recent State mandated Roll Back of Religious Service Attendance

Earlier in the week, Governor Newsom called for more restrictions within our State, restrictions which include faith-based organizations as well.  Of course, this directive was frustrating as the Church has from its very beginning remained a place of solace, a place of hope and a place of healing.  As early as the fourth century, it was the Church that gathered and then nurtured orphans. It was the Church that gathered and addressed the physical and spiritual needs of the sick (this was the impetus of the modern hospital).

I write this not to trivialize what is taking place in our world, but to remind each of you that Christians are not “of” the world.  This doesn’t mean that we deny the recent spike in Covid-19 cases occurring in California. On the contrary, we acknowledge that some individuals have gotten careless whether it be in fellowship, in protests and riots or even simply, in their daily routines.  Having just concluded a phone call with a dear friend who works in one of our local hospitals in which patients who are COVID positive has tripled, this is truly lamentable.  We therefore continue to offer our prayers for those who are ailing of any disease or affliction as well as medical workers, researchers, and every other essential service. May God’s Grace be in abundance and sufficient for us all.  

In an areligious society that boasts of religious pluralism and truth as being relative, it’s no wonder that religious services aren’t considered to be an essential service.  Although I can’t speak for our sister parishes or other faith-based traditions, for the most part, we have made every effort to be responsible.  We often meet or exceed the standards of this world, because our eyes are fixed not upon this world, but upon the Kingdom that is to come.  “If” we love God, “if” we love humanity, “if” we love His Creation, then we hold ourselves accountable to a higher standard, and that is namely, God’s standard.  

It is important for us to celebrate the services of the Church that are life-giving and essential for they can only take place in the Church.  These services or Sacraments are the following, but not limited to: 

Holy Baptism initiates a life in Christ.  Holy Chrismation enlivens and animates a person with the Gifts of the Holy Spirit.  Holy Marriage brings a man and woman together into a relationship that mirrors Christ and His Bride, the Church.  Holy Unction brings healing and forgiveness to the faithful.  Holy Confession affords healing of soul and body.  Holy Eucharist - the Body and Blood of Christ - brings healing, remission of sins and we pray, salvation to those who receive.  Holy Ordination, takes men, unworthy though they be, and gives them the Rites (not rights) to serve, to love, to provide counsel, to comfort, and to assist us all as we walk on the Royal Road to the Kingdom.  

I purposely used the word “Holy” before each of these Mysteries in order to remind us that these Mysteries or Sacraments, are not of this world. These Sacraments are in fact of the Kingdom of Heaven.  And if they are of the Kingdom of Heaven, then they are non-negotiable, for they have and they will always be the means by which God expresses His love for His people and brings about the healing of souls and bodies of His people as well.  Simply put, the Sacraments and by extension, our time in services, spent in prayer is non-negotiable.  

Please understand me: This is not a call to arms as some may suggest, rather it is a reminder that we as Christians are to remain steadfast to the tenets of our Faith, all the while, remaining flexible to the needs that present pandemic circumstances requires of us. (Always with the thought being: not going too far to the left, nor too far to the right, but staying in the center of the path.) We will therefore respect the State’s mandates by limiting the access inside of our sanctuary of our faithful and visitors to our chapel at this time. Instead, we will place seats out in our courtyard for the faithful to gather for Services. At the appropriate time, priests will come out through the opened doors in order to: bless, commune and/or anoint the faithful.  

We will continue to:

1. Follow Our Guidelines - while our guidelines may seem burdensome or even unnecessary to some, they are in fact very reasonable, responsible and respective of others and are in sync with our greater Orthodox Christian community as well with regards on how to mitigate the risk for our faithful.  Additionally, we presently follow the best practices as directed by the CDC for all Houses of Worship.

2. Ask you to review the symptoms of COVID-19, sanitize your hands before joining us for worship and asking you to refrain from coming if you or your family member has a fever.  S

3. Utilize the ChurchCenter App.  It is a convenient and practical tool for us to use so that parishioners may sign-up for services online and in advance. It is not used for tracking attendance. It’s also a way by which many of us can continue to actively support the ministries of our parish.

4. Live-stream our services and broadcast them to our Facebook page at:   https://www.facebook.com/saintanna so that more of our faithful will be able to virtually attend. Shortly after the service is prayed, the video is deleted, it is not archived.

If you are unable or uncomfortable coming to worship, please coordinate with Fr. Seraphim to set a time to pray at your home or at the parish.  We will continue to meet our faithful wherever they might be, and from that place, we will walk closer with one another towards Christ together. 

In closing, I thank you for your steadfast faith.  I thank you for your love for Christ and His Church.  I thank you for attempting to preserve the health of others through responsible and respectful measures.  I thank you for supporting the work of the Church.  And, I thank you for accommodating our changes that are in obedience to both the Kingdom and our State. May our efforts be well-pleasing to Him and unto the healing of our souls and bodies.  

Steadfast yet flexible in faith

As many of us have become aware of the news, Governor Newsom has called for more restrictions within our State, restrictions which include faith-based organizations as well.  The spike in Covid-19 cases occurring in California reminds us of what we need to know about the virus, as well as our need to attempt to limit its spreading within the community. We do so by remaining prayerful for those who have been exposed to the virus (and other ailments), mitigating the spread of the virus and also remaining thankful for those who research and bring healing to those who are ailing.

In our Church, we believe in the power of prayer and beseech our Lord to protect His creation; that He may enlighten the minds of those entrusted to find a cure for Covid-19 and that He may bring about healing to our world from ALL of its many afflictions.  Taking into consideration recent directives yet recognizing our responsibility to our Lord and the Body of Christ, the people of God, the Church, we will, beginning tomorrow morning modify our current practices. 

We will ask our faithful as well as visitors to our parish, to sit outside the chapel in chairs that will be placed in our courtyard. We will have a widescreen monitor and speakers outside broadcasting the service and at the appropriate time, the priests will come out through the opened doors bless, commune or anoint the faithful.

Additionally, we will continue to live-stream our services and broadcast them to our Facebook page at:   https://www.facebook.com/saintanna

The Church in Her wisdom knows that She is the agent of health and healing for both the bodies and the souls of the faithful.  We must therefore prayerfully and gracefully remain steadfast, but also adaptable.  It is important that we take every precaution to protect ourselves and to follow the guidelines that have been provided to help restrict the spread of the coronavirus.  Anyone with health concerns or anyone feeling “under the weather” should not come to Divine Services.  The Church, in Her wisdom and love for us, also knows that there are times when there is “good cause” to be absent from the Divine Services.  

At the parish, we will be continue doing the following:

• providing alcohol-based hand sanitizer outside to help maintain good hand hygiene.

• sanitizing surfaces outside the Church (the chairs that people sit on)

• providing masks outside

Thankfully, young children are much less likely to get severe illness from COVID-19. They can, however, pass the infection to others even if they themselves may have mild illness.  Since young people may not cover their mouths when they cough or wear masks with ease, I want to remind that you that if a child is sick, consider keeping him/her at home out of respect for those who are older and/or with weakened immune systems. 

In closing, I pray that our Lord will ever bless you, strengthen you, protect you and grant you every good gift unto salvation.  And, I do thank you for understanding and also for accommodating our changes that we pray are well pleasing to God and respectful of His Creation.